The Game Of Flight

By Sneha M

Chapter 1

"7 March 2014

Friday,

Dear dairy,

Fairy tales do exist , your heart just needs to be keen about feeling every small beautiful thing.

Years ago sitting in cockpit felt an impossible fairytale but, today I am experiencing beautiful romantic night holding steering of my plane ,one hand controlling the plane , other sipping the coffee, flying 290 passengers to their destination,10 crew members ,and with cute smile of my copilot…we took off the flight at 10 pm …two hours to my birthday and guess what i will be at my Zenith as soon as I land because it's my last plane as training captain ,yeah I'm going to be officially declared as captain,it's time to celebrate all those pain and sacrifices so thank you (thanking myself) .Thanks for the most beautiful birthday ever …see u after we land n huh i will take you to my party ,dairy as I need someone to celebrate with me.

Love ..

Trisha"

20 March 2023 ,

Ayush what are you doing there, come here our order is ready. Shreni my girlfriend called me in alarming tone ,more than she was calling for dinner is sounding like hurry up we need to pack and leave ( It was our last day of our trip though). We both love sea always felt a deep connection with the waves , the blue colour far way till light can reflect from your eyes ,lose sand beneath our feet, trembling to walk l feels like I am just on right path , the waves gently tickling my feet ,the fresh soothing breeze with that view of sun biding his last ray for the day left me think twice before I responded to Shreni. "Yes Shreni , I will come..

Shreni: What are you doing anyway?

Me: What does anyone do on the beach during sunsets?

Shreni : ( pointing at foreign gals)" hot chicks huh ", if sunsets are chai then they are Parle G with it..

I ko she thinks but I know she also knows how much I can give up on anything for one glance of sunset but Haan for ' foreign goris' we Indian men have a extra heart.

Me:" thanks for showing man ,they r worth of attention, but here it is I got this ."

I handed over an age -old , tortilla coloured ,scrambled dairy. Clearly it was seen that it was traumatised with salt water for a long period of time.

Where did you find it she said.

On shore it was left abandoned though it looked like a personal diary but I couldn't stop myself from reading it. It's the diary of a girl called Trisha who's a pilot but sadly there's only one page written .

Shreni: Pilot huh! Interesting.

( Shreni is a pilot too more or less in the same phase like Trisha,coincidence right?)

Me : yup ,that's what made me more curious n disappointed too because it has only one page.

Shreni: Let me read it .

Me: No sheru ,u read it on the train ,Now come have dinner, we need to leave. We are already stretching our time.

(Shreni holding Back her curiosity, joined me for dinner)

After we came back from our trip I hardly met Shreni .I'm a dentist and she's a pilot.due to our differences in career, my patients ,and her flights it's difficult to hang out much. Today Shreu's flight is gonna land in Mumbai so we made a plan to meet up but as usual madam is too busy to catch the cab on time so i need to book her one more cab and now she's stuck in traffic.Hundred times of telling her about her time management issues.

We decided to hang out in a cafe nearby , of course it has to be the best reviewed cafe on Google. I mean ya that's how we millennials take the advantage of Google right.

I entered the cafe with the name "Kaka chi coffee" which means uncle's coffee in marathi.i know the more weird it sounds in English the more classy it is in Marathi,there's always some swag in your mother tongue u see.

The cafe was fully furnished white and white i mean from the walls to floor , interior decor items, utensils,cutleries ,oh my god even the attires of the waiters including their specs.No surprise why this one of the most reviewed cafe around.

I was waiting for around 30 mins before my lady came. She was spectacular as always in her knee length black dress with the perfect shade of lipstick,the white background was glorifying her beauty even more . Is called falling for the same person again and again .

Shreni: Hey sorry couldn't make it up on time man.

( I totally forgot that she was late .Is that the reason girls dress up so that we men melt away)

"You look great, " said Ayush, glaring at her like a baby with twinkling eyes .

Raising her one eye brow with a teasing look "As always" said Shreni

Controlling not to flow in the feelings, Ayush asked "What do you want to order? The waiter poked me twice already."

Shreni: Before we order, I need to tell you a very important thing.

( Me choosing food over her talks opened the menu card and started looking for the one i want)

Do you even care ayush? It's about my career,all you think is of food .

Ayush : No Shreu ,I'm listening to you baby. I thought it's something about your casual flight day.

"Meanwhile signalling waiter ,two chocolat viennois and croissant with extra cream please just like how my lady likes " Ayush ordered and looked at Shreni with a wink .

Waiter : sure sir.

Shreni: You listening to me would heal me better than hot chocolate today.

Ayush: What is the issue,why your so hot today.

Shreni: it's not joke Ayush

"O sorry tell me I'm all listening." Ayush said in a curious tone

Shreni: Yesterday was my yearly medical checkup kind of a checkride thing you know.

Ayush: hmm mm

Shreni:And as I had told you before my licence expired , I have given it to DGCA for renewal. Currently I'm running the flights on the basis of the letter issued by the DGCA, stating the same

Ayush: Yeah, I know .

Shreni is a first officer in the TARKSHYA AIRWAYS. She will be completing her experience level required for one to level up in the seniority according to the airline company course.

Shreni in a frustrated tone and a voice loud enough to be heard to the nearby tables " So, they are telling me my medical fitness is unfit for me to be promoted as a captain. And also my total air time as a first officer has to be reassessed as the DGCA is in the process of updating the new criteria for women pilots.But as per my knowledge and research there's no such thing going on ".

Her hands were moving fast in the air and expressing her more than her actual words.

I was supposed to be exchanged with my three stripes and congratulated in the next mid flight Ayush,this is ridiculous I have given enough sweat to this airline.

"Clearly they want to postpone your first officer life ,and they cannot say this to you directly so they are speaking in innuendo , but why Shreu?"

Shreni : Clearly because this air company is going down hence they can't do a huge hike in the salary.

Meanwhile the waiter arrived with two chocolat viennois and a croissant with extra cream . "Thank you "said Ayush with a very formal smile .

"Your welcome sir ,anything else you need please let me know. I can customise it for you just the way ma'am likes sir, " the waiter said, holding a serving tray in one hand , bending over to give a sweet gesture.

But Ayush was not at all in his happy go mood after listening to Shreni he said " no thank you"

Waiter left to check on the next table.

Ayush looking back to Shreni with a frown of disapproval " No I have strong feeling that they are up to something else, though you know your place for work much better than me but TARKSHYA AIRWAYS are not in much trouble as you think they are looking forward to tie up with TATAs so they are not actually thinking about the financial status right now."

Than what you think the issue is with them Ayush, do you mean I am not capable of enjoying the seniority lift and taking charge of a flight?" Asked Shreni with a droplet in her eyes about to destroy her kajol.

Ayush: Where did I mention that Shreu ? Are you insane ,I climbed up the stairs of hardship with you i saw you studying all the nights , I saw you choosing your career over your sleep I saw you not caring about your health for this stupid job , working in those bloody menstrual cramps needs a very strong dedication shreu.Its not about your capacity."

Shreni folded the tissue paper to a triangle and wiped her droplet, careful not to poke her eyes yet keen to save her kajol, drained out the droplet with the tissue. " Then what is the issue Ayush,I feel the issue is all about being a girl ."

" Why you girls always need to bring your feminism in between all the topics all issues are not about being women Shreni understands this first " Ayush bursted in anger keeping both his palms on the table in action to leave.

Shreni: "why you always get so disturbed by feminism Ayush. It's true that girls on a regular basis are judged based on their gender.We live it and know it."

"Because you people get unnecessary quotas , reservation,fare cut offs n more over sympathy and sympathy snatchs the huge attention which comes with perks of you and hell for us men ,I agree things were different in past but now things are changed Shreni and things are in favour of you , today you earn more than me but get concession just because your women and now u tell who should play the card of feminism , me or you, huh?" Frustrated Ayush said this and walked straight to the counter, paid the bill and left the cafe so joined the Shreni, not ready to console him nor ready to leave the cafe .

chocolat viennois and croissant left on table untouched staring at each other it looked like they want to say something to the waiter and waiter heard them saying "at least you eat us now afterall we are made just the way lady likes " and waiter did listen to them.

Chapter 2

' Shreni I can't see your name in the list '

"But I checked the chart two hours back and in the foreflight my name was in the list Samiksha," said Shreni in a surprised tone.

Shamiksha let's check the office monitor once?

Samiksha : Oh yes , Shreni comes fast .

"Ma'am can you cross check this list one time, because my name is missing in this list and I feel it's typing mistakes that Rajesh K is written in the first officer's column it should be Shreni M," asked Shreni with the very gentle possible tone to the help lady who was appointed to handle the detail work appointment register of pilots and crew members of the flight.

"Flight no. Ma'am please."asked the office lady with a very formal tone . She was in her office attire,azureus coloured saree with dark blue large border ,her hair tied neatly tied to a bun ,with a bright yet subtle shade of lipstick, perfectly done eyebrows with the blue identity card with the name Laxmi .

"TA- 0031 Mumbai - Ahmedabad , Laxmi ma'am I am already late for my flight. I should be in the crew room performing my pre-flight activities. Please can you fix this fast. Said Shreni ready to leave the office room as soon as she gets her name corrected in the list .

Laxmi: I'm sorry Shreni ma'am but the list is correct,the first officer allotted for this flight is Rajesh. Your name is not mentioned in the list.

"How's this possible? It's my flight. I'm supposed to complete my total flight timings as first officer in the plane . I was reported with the same a week prior." Shreni bursted with a frustrated tone and almost broke down into tears.

"Calm down Shreni, there's absolutely some glitch in the list we will enquire in the higher authority office." Samiksha being a very good friend and co-pilot of Shreni trying to keep her calm .

"No ma'am ,it's Rajesh sir flight today.I already checked twice,I understand your situation but I'm of no use for you .I'm just a checkpoint officer " claimed the security incharge giving a sympathetic look,he was looking as charming as always In his black colour uniform, his sleeves fitting perfectly around his biceps to flex them more,but no use because Shreni had lot more things going in her head to admire it today.

"Samiksha there's a big time conspiracy going on,there's no way out of it" . Sighed Shreni .

Overhearing this security incharge with his Deep voice: "Actually Shreni ma'am your name was in the list two hours before but then higher authorities called to change it giving the reason of fitness certificate issue in your details."

"Fitness issue? I'm so fit to fly 100 hours continuously officers,they can't claim my health for their selfish outcomes."

" Shreni, I know exactly what they are trying to do with you.There's no use wasting your time enquiring anymore to anyone, you come with me " said Samiksha holding forearm and dragging Shreni towards the crew canteen .

Meanwhile Shreni's phone popped a whatsapp text in the notification box " Shreu , sorry please allow me to be with you in this situation you are in .I am sorry for behaving rude ,my bad but baby we can sort it out please . I'm boarding the TA- 0031 Mumbai - Ahmedabad .I want to be there in the flight you're flying. I'm switching off my phone as the flight is ready to depart. See you in the cockpit.

Shreni: Shit Shit shit

"What's wrong now?" Asked samiksha.

"Ayush is boarding the flight"

Shreni grabbed her phone trying dail ayush as quick as possible"receive you dumbo"

"Hey are you not supposed to dump your phone sweetheart, can I come to the cockpit? I really want to meet you" Said ayush from the other side of the call.

"What kind of joke are you making of me ,Ayush ." This is not a surprise , this is the shock hypovolemic shock!

"Shreu ,what is wrong with you "

"I'm not in that flight Ayush.I'm kicked out in short I'm in the crew canteen and go to ahemdabad if you have some work or off board the plane bye "Shreni hung up the call .

"Shreu ? Shreu? " What is wrong with you lady " exclaimed Ayush.

"Samiksha, don't ask anything just order a very strong coffee for me "

Shreni ,yes I will buy first tell me where is Ayush?

"Sami ,I will tell you but first I need coffee" Shreni was really frustrated even to tell what Ayush was upto

Samiksha went to grab a coffee at the dispense counter of the self-help canteen.

Canteen was as luxurious as the rumours of Akbar"s Darbar.

Fully furnished cafeteria with the glass wall on one side allowing the sun rays to enter from the spectacular lawn next to it , the wooden furniture gave it a classic touch with the lilies on each table anyone outside glancing at the canteen would get the vibe of abundance.

The difference was no one without an identity card was not allowed in .

"Here's your coffee lady " samiksha handing over a white regular sized paper cup .

"Mmm thank you. Sami ,Ayush and I had an argument last week and to dilute that Ayush boarded TA - 0031 in the intention of surprising me. Everything would be perfect but my luck is messing up with me.I hung up the call on him " Shreni broke into tears.

Samiksha: "Hey yar , we will come up with something.Don't lose hope .

" Please sir understand you cannot go in without an identity card . It's the question of my job sir I cannot let you in. Shouted the security guard at the fair and tall man ,with black denim jacket on top of the white shirt . Perfectly trimmed beard .

"Ayush ! " Screamed Shreni looking at the canteen entrance. Running towards him " Now what are you doing here ?"

You only told your in the canteen so, I off boarded the flight with much difficulty Shreu.

" Okay! "

"Samiksha we will go out of this canteen they will never allow him and I don't want one more allegation on my name " said Shreni

" Shreni what happened why your not the flight I mean it's your flight "

After Shreni tells the whole story Ayush was very sure about the fact that Shreni is being targeted.

Samiksha: You both, I want you to meet my friend who has a similar story to tell , which can help us through this. Her name is Jasmine and she works for the Malaysian clone of TARKSHYA AIRWAYS. She is in Mumbai to meet her grandparents. Will we catch up in Evening ?"

Almost confused, Ayush asked "but why and how can she help us?"

"There's a story you need to know which can clear both our your doubts" said Samiksha

EVENING

"Hi I'm Jasmine "

"Helloo , Im Shreni and this is Ayush" introduced Shreni looking at samiksha as she was supposed to introduce them both

Samiksha: "I will ordered first this restaurant takes ages to get the order "

"Seriously Sammi " exclaimed Shreni with a surprised tone .

" Happy tummy , happy Sammi" said Jasmine she was as gorgeous as her name wearing white sleeveless dress , blond highlights and melanin free skin made her look more of American than Indian "

"You really,work in Malaysia,you look like just arrived from London for me " complemented ayush

Shreni giving him a death stare "so how's your holidays "

" They are excellent, grandparents are grandparents right, they always make us feel we are on the ninth cloud . Samiksha narrated me story of yours there's something you should know before you get into any conclusion "

"What is it" asked shreni

"Malaysian based TARKSHYA AIRWAYS has some issues with promoting their female first officer as captain it's related to MH370 "

"MH370? How and why ?' asked Shreni

"The flight that went missing mid-air?" Asked Ayush with a surprised tone.

"What ?!!! Shreni with her eyes wide open asked ayush.

"You don't know about this? Asked Jasmine

"No , I mean I know MH370 has been hijacked?!!"

"No , it was not hijacked, it went missing with all the 290 passengers, 10 crew members, captain and first officer Trisha " corrected Jasmine.

"Come again Trisha ? , 290 passengers and 10 crew members?"

"Yes ayush but why are you so surprised " asked samiksha

Ayush looked at Shreni asking her with the eyes to remember something.

" Nothing but you tell me first why TARKSHYA AIRWAYS is insecure about female first officer and it's link to mh370 "asked ayush

" There were many theories put forth after mh370 went missing and many people did that every day new theory and every day a new search for answers among one was Trisha as the captain "

"What was it " asked Shreni narrowing her pupils in curiosity

"For that you need to listen to what happened on that day "

Malaysian airport, as glorious as always it is, was extra blooming that day because of the Ramadan festive Eve after the clearance given by the checkpoint security both the pilots and crew members boarded the flight. Trisha was a beautiful young woman who was supposed to be promoted as the captain mid-air on mh370 .

"Exactly" exclaimed Ayush with a victorious smile banging his hand on the table.

"What is it Ayush? Do you know anything

"Shreni! Do you remember the one page diary we got on the Saint André beach. Trisha? Her birthday and she's going to be captain on the same day? Asked ayush

"Aaa oh yes ,shit yes is this the same Trisha but how ayush how can the diary be on that beach and flight disappear in the air?"

"What diary ? And Saint André? Asked samiksha

Nodding her head Jasmine looked at Ayush and Shreni.

"Last month spent our vacation in Saint André and guess we found this " ayush handed over the one Page dairy to Jasmine

Jasmine read the diary and was stunned,"how is this possible? Yes it is of course the same Trisha till today we celebrate her birthday to give her a tribute but how in the Saint André?"

" Do you remember claims regarding recovery of mh370 flaperon debris from Saint André , in fact from many other islands of Indian Ocean " asked samiksha

"Yes makes sense " said Jasmine

" I want to know the whole story, please Jasmine, " said Shreni.

"So it was a beautiful night and perfect whether and flight was in its perfect health when flight took off, bidding the Kuala Lumpur airport bye

Time of departure was around 12 :00 am and it was supposed to reach Beijing at 7 sharp .

Around 1:30 am pilot captain Bujang communicated with the Kuala Lumpur headquarters .

The plane's transponder that communicated with the air-traffic control got switched off just when the plane was about to enter Vietnamese airspace over the South China Sea.

His last words were "alright goodnight Malaysian 370 "

Then no contact was found, technically within the 40 mins of plane no contact the emergency search plan should be executed but there was no move till 7 am when Beijing airport confirmed no landing of MH370 , the tragic part was the plane was not caught in any radder .

The families of the passenger ,crew and public rushed to the airport as the bees in the intention to sting as soon as the media covered the news . Search operation were executed but of no use the flight was gone ,many claimed hijack as you said it before Shreni! and many claimed crash media going mad and people going crazy made the families lose their sleep. No land crash remains of the plane ,no contact,no calls from the hijackers.Then where's the plane no one knows two days later government announced a good that airforce radder was caught with the MH370 signals on 9 th March 1:40 am . According to the claims the plane was at 45000 feet approx 10000 feet higher of which normal Beijing 777 flights fly the plane took sudden u turn at 2am proceeding towards Malay Peninsula where signals were caught of the co- pilots phone, it claims call was tried to connect and then the plane headed up northward towards the andaman sea in a lower altitude for the radder to catch the signal . Later after a few days a satellite communication records were found of the plane attempting to connect to it but no use of the data but mathematicians used all the small details to calculate the approximate place of the MH370 in the southern part of the Indian Ocean. "

"So it's never found till now?" Asked Shreni

" No ,but only debris and pieces of it is claimed to be found on the nearby beaches of the calculated area , same as you got this diary "

"So what is the link of Trisha in it ?" Asked AYUSH

"Malaysian based TARKSHYA AIRWAYS put up a theory which was never revealed to the public saying that the phone call attempt made by the co - pilot was actually of the Trisha . By the estimated air time by then she might have been promoted as the captain and was given the charge completely "

"So what is the link between her and the flight missing and her being a woman here Jasmine? Asked Shreni

"In evidence the search operation both the pilots house , office were searched it was found that the Trisha was addicted to a game which simulates the flight and exactly same tragic path was found on the previous three game flight maps ,same u turn same Indian Ocean "

"What was she planning to simulate the game and put around 250 people's lives in risk which she did i guess " said Shreni.

" I don't know but this cannot be a coincidence alone" samiksha said

" So theory goes like Trisha in all her tries never could cross the sea and her room search found the pills which were antidepressants and a pregnancy report.they claim with all this evidence that she was on the mass suicide mission and women being hysterical and not wanting that baby to be born made her more on sucide mission girl."

"According to the studies made by airline 80% more of women face the depression problems than men and pregnancy adds up to it which this airlines wants to cut down by not promoting the women specially in the age of pregnancy"

"But how do they know that she don't want that baby " ?asked ayush

By the fact that antidepressants prescription was dated a month later of the pregnancy reports and Trisha being unmarried adds up to it"

"But this is bullshit theory Jasmine women cannot be judged by this"

But possibilities goes along this right said Jasmine

All four left the restaurant with the confusion questions and more confusion with them.

Chapter 4

"Ayush where are you" Shreni left 50 voice note to ayush

Ayush was not answering to any of the calls since that day only message Shreni received was "wait for me ,and trust me - your ayush "

" Man how's this possible that only one page of diary was on the shore , there should be something along which it came here pages will tear off due to pressure of the wind "

" Your telling this since the day you came here ayush but nothing is found we are reaching right " said Ayush friend

" Anna Anna we got a old tape recorder like this which has the Malaysian writing on it but it looks totally destroyed we got a bag too with it but it's empty " said the tall thin dusk man with the curly hair he was the house help where ayush friend .

"Come let's check on it "

Three of them ran to a old chor bazar market

"No sir, it's not working anymore. We need to put it in kabadda . there's no use of it ."

" No give me all of things you found along with it " said Ayush

The polythene based bag justified its durability in the salt water and another piece of similar paper to the diary proved its from Trisha.

" Trisha you need to make this work it's for you and all the women common " ayush mumerd as he took the tape recorder to the very famous technical master in Mumbai as soon as he returned from Saint André with the tape recorder and a bag .

"Hee..ey...y….y sss…ooo.. hh…. beeep" a very musculine voice poped out from the tape ayush almost danced in the happiness.

"Yes ,sir you can please make her speak though this recorder" said Ayush to the technical master

It's ready ayush to take it and go and don't forget my treat tonight said the technical master .

" Hey let's meet up in ur TARKSHYA AIRWAYS office tomorrow" said the message from ayush to three people Shreni, Jasmine and samiksha.

Next day in the TARKSHYA AIRWAYS office

"What is it we have gathered here for Mr. Ayush you are dear to Shreni so I allowed this meeting here and your claims towards mh370 "said the officer with a deep tone

"Sir it's 5 mins recording which will prove everything"

Ayush put on the recorder " hey so hi baby,when you will born you will be so proud of your mumma because she working carrying you in her tummy and say congratulations to her on her promotion " it was the male voice depicts mostly of the co- pilot Bujung .

" Thank you sir ,her dad and she both will be proud of me " said a female voice of Trisha

"Where is he in Beijing, waiting for me by the way sir we are getting married next week and here's the invitation"

"Hello hello Bujung, remember me ? " A man voice

"What are you doing in the cockpit, and who are you"? Bujung

"Same person who never let you fly beyond the Indian Ocean" a man

What it's just a game said Trisha

"Oh Trisha,how beautiful you look in real life same inteligent your in the game three times you tried to pass through the place playing his game ,why it was his game and he should win it , say yes Bujang"

"What gun how you got it here " shocked Bujang

Doesn't matter ooh you need to win today Bujung common put your signals off

No what are you saying I this is real life i can't put 300 people life in risk instead i will kill you said bunjung

Put the signal off all the passenger and crew members are already dead look look at them having sweet night sleep,",a loud ugly laugh was heard in the man's voice

I will kill her or you put the signal off what you choose Bujung

"Spare her she's 5 months pregnant " said Bujung

"Is it wow but I need space to sit " a gun shot with a woman screen was heard with the Bujung screaming "nooo what did you do now take the plane you turn"

10 mins of silence before

"Helo helo please pick up damit " said Bujung the time showed exact the timing of the phone call signal caught by the radder

"What your trying call someone" another gun shot was heard before the tape recorder ended it's last words ….

Three years Shreni flying as the captain Shreni to Malaysia remembered the story…..

By Sneha M